Department of Psychology

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Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Counseling Psychology

The Psychology Department offers the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in counseling psychology, which trains graduates for the independent practice of assessment and intervention with individuals, couples, families and groups.

The Counseling Psychology PsyD program is accredited by the American Psychological Association Commission on Accreditation (APA-COA) and meets the specialty guidelines for the delivery of services. For information about APA accreditation status, contact the APA Commission on Accreditation, c/o Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street NE, Washington, D.C. 2002-4242; 202-336-5979; www.apa.org.

The PsyD program emphasizes skills and competencies for the professional practice of psychology. There is a greater emphasis in the PsyD program on the application of psychology and the delivery of services and less emphasis on traditional research activities. The PsyD degree is designed to meet state academic requirements for licensure as a psychologist.

Admission Application Requirements

Evidence of a master’s degree in psychology or a closely related discipline of at least 45 semester hours from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree of less than 45 semester hours may apply but should expect to do leveling coursework in addition to the doctoral requirements
A cumulative grade point average of 3.50 in the master’s degree program
Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended, including junior and community colleges
A satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years. The average scores of students admitted to the PsyD program can be found on the Psychology Department website.
A satisfactory score on the GRE Psychology subject test taken within the last five years. The average scores of students admitted to the PsyD program can be found on the Psychology Department website.
As felony convictions may limit practicum placements and the ability to obtain professional licensure after graduation, all students who enroll in the MS/PsyD program must submit criminal background checks. A national criminal background check, no older than six months prior to enrolling in the MS/PsyD program must be submitted by the last day of the first semester in the program. All admissions are conditional pending the submission of the criminal background check.
Three letters of recommendation from professionals, with at least one from a former professor who can attest to the applicant’s promise as a professional psychologist
Pertinent professional experience
Personal statement of background in psychology, expectations of doctoral program and professional goals
Satisfactory completion of the on-campus interview process

Admission Deadline

Students admitted to the doctoral program begin in the fall. All admission materials must be turned in to the Admissions Office no later than Jan. 15.

Admission Procedures

All completed admission files will be submitted to the PsyD admissions committee after Jan. 15
The PsyD admissions committee will review the files during the two weeks that follow the deadline
After an initial screening by the admissions committee, a selected number of applicants will be invited on campus for in-depth interviews. Notification regarding appointments for these interviews will be made by Feb. 1
All applicants will be notified of their admission decision no later than March 1

International Students

An international student seeking admission into the PsyD in counseling psychology program should refer to page 35 of this bulletin for additional information on credentials needed for admission.

Conditional Admission

Conditional acceptance is granted on the merits of each case. In some circumstances, applicants who do not meet all of the requirements for regular admission may be admitted conditionally, providing they fulfill the conditions listed in their letters of conditional acceptance within the period of specified time. If conditional acceptance is given because of missing official credentials, the period of time to provide those documents will not extend beyond the first term of attendance.

Academic Requirements

Doctoral degree students will be expected to complete the following requirements in addition to required coursework:

Written and clinical (oral) qualifying examinations
The written qualifying exam should be taken during the third or fourth year of doctoral level coursework and must be passed prior to the dissertation proposal defense. Students who do not pass the exam in two attempts will be dismissed from the program.
The clinical examination should be taken during the third or fourth year of doctoral level coursework and must be passed prior to applying for internship. Students who do not pass the exam in two attempts will be dismissed from the program
Dissertation — a dissertation is required as part of the doctoral degree program. A student must register for at least nine semester hours of dissertation (PSYC 9395, PSYC 9396 and PSYC 9397). If a student has not completed the dissertation by the end of the course sequence, PSYC 9198 must be registered for each semester until completion
Pre-Doctoral Internship — the pre-doctoral internship must be completed in one year of full-time or two years of part-time commitment. A student must register for three semester hours which will be PSYC 9190, 9191 and 9192 during the internship. All internships must be approved by the training director.
Residency Requirement - doctoral students must attend classes on campus full-time (18 semester hours or more in one year) at least three consecutive years.

Doctor of Psychology Specialization: Counseling Psychology

(118 semester hours)

The following courses are required of PsyD students who are admitted with master’s degrees. All courses carry three semester hours of credit except for Doctoral Colloquium I and II, Management of Professional Practices, Selected Topics in Counseling Psychology, and Internship, which are one semester hour classes.

Counseling Theories and Methods (36 semester hours)

PSYC 6358	Life Planning and Career Development
PSYC 8357	Advanced Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy
PSYC 9166	Selected Topics in Counseling Theory and Practice: must take minimum of three semester hours
PSYC 9301	Theories of Group Counseling
PSYC 9302	Theories of Individual Counseling
PSYC 9304	Theories of Multicultural Counseling
PSYC 9307	Positive Psychology
PSYC 9310	Introduction to Health Psychology
PSYC 9334	Postmodern Perspectives in Psychotherapy
PSYC 9351	Clinical Supervision
PSYC 9352	Consultation
PSYC 9364	Seminar in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies

Ethics and Professional Identity (six semester hours)

PSYC 8303	Professional Practice: Skills and Issues
PSYC 9101	Doctoral Psychology Colloquium I
PSYC 9102	Doctoral Psychology Colloquium II
PSYC 9150	Management of Professional Practices

Psychological Assessment (six semester hours)

PSYC 6342	Psycho-Educational Assessment: Cognitive Testing
PSYC 9322	Personality Assessment

Clinical Practice (nine semester hours)

PSYC 9388	Doctoral Practicum I
PSYC 9389	Doctoral Practicum II
PSYC 9190	Internship I
PSYC 9191	Internship II
PSYC 9192	Internship III

Cultural Bases of Behavior (six semester hours)

PSYC 8356	Family Processes Across Cultures
PSYC 9356	Latino Psychology

Individual Differences (six semester hours)

PSYC 7351	Life Span Developmental Psychology
PSYC 9333	Abnormal Psychology

Social Bases of Behavior (three semester hours)

PSYC 9330

Social Psychology

Biological Bases of Behavior (three semester hours)

PSYC 9325

Behavioral Neuroscience

Cognitive and Affective Bases of Behavior (three semester hours)

PSYC 9326

Learning and Cognition

Research Design and Methodology (15 semester hours)

PSYC 6380	Research Design and Procedures
PSYC 9361	Professional Writing
PSYC 9370	Program Evaluation
PSYC 9380	Quantitative Research Methods
PSYC 9381	Qualitative Research Design I

Dissertation (nine semester hours)

PSYC 9395	Dissertation I
PSYC 9396	Dissertation II
PSYC 9397	Dissertation III

Elective Concentrations

Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations

PSYC 6370	Professional/Technical Spanish
PSYC 8331	Language and Psychosocial Variables in Interviews and Assessments with Latinos

Choose one of the following:

PSYC 8327	Counseling Spanish Speaking Immigrants and Refugees
PSYC 8330	Sociocultural Foundation of Counseling Mexicans and Mexican-Americans

Choose one of the following:

PSYC 6326	Latino Psychology
PSYC 9356	Latino Psychology

Practica

Must spend a minimum of eight hours per week at a bilingual practicum site for three consecutive semesters. An optional practicum in Mexico or other Spanish-speaking country may be arranged. Supervised supervision in a bilingual setting for a minimum of one semester.

Behavioral Health

Must take:

PSYC 9347	Assessment in Health Psychology
PSYC 9348	Family Systems Medicine

Take one of the following:

PSYC 5410G	Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback
PSYC 9332	Psychological Hypnosis

Miscellaneous Electives

PSYC 9383	Qualitative Research Design II
PSYC 9165-9665	Directed Study
PSYC 9166	Special Topics in Counseling Theory and Practice beyond the required three semester hours
PSYC 9360	Special Topics

Master of Science in Psychology

Programs prepare the student to apply psychological theory and practice in a broad range of settings with diverse populations.

Admission Application Requirements

Regular Admission

Official transcripts from all regionally accredited institutions previously attended must be submitted in support of an admission application
An earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with an overall grade point average of 2.50 or a 3.00 grade point average for the last 60 semester hours
At least 12 undergraduate semester hours in psychology including one course in statistics and a cumulative average of a "B" or better
Two letters of recommendation not more than one year old from former instructors or employers (forms supplied by the University)
Submission of a satisfactory score on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years
As felony convictions may limit practicum placements and the ability to obtain professional licensure after graduation, all students who enroll in the MS program must submit criminal background checks. A national criminal background check, no older than 6 months prior to enrolling in the MS program must be submitted by the last day of the first semester in the program. All admissions are conditional pending the submission of the national criminal background check.
Personal statement addressing background in Psychology, expectations of the MS program, and professional goals.
Completion of admission file by the appropriate deadline
After a review of the completed admissions files, selected applicants will be invited to a group interview with psychology program faculty

NOTE: Due to limited spaces available, meeting minimum standards does not guarantee admission.

International Students

An international student seeking admission into the Master of Science in Psychology degree program should refer to page 35 of this bulletin for additional information on credentials needed for admission.

Conditional Admission

Special Admission

Students who wish to enroll for professional licensing, special interest, or to transfer graduate credit to a home institution may be admitted as special students at the discretion of the faculty and on a space available basis.

To be considered for special admission, applicants must:

Submit official transcript(s) from a regionally accredited institution showing degree awarded, to include master’s degree if applicable. Transient students need only submit a letter of good standing from their home institution verifying master’s degree status.
Have earned an overall grade point average of at least 2.50 on undergraduate coursework and a 3.00 grade point average on all master’s degree work
Statement of purpose

Admission Deadlines

Deadlines for completing application to the Master of Science degree program are:

Fall admission - Early decision - March 1

Extended deadline - June 1

Admission Procedures

Students will be notified of admission decision within three weeks after the interviews of selected students.

Academic Requirements

Students will be expected to complete the following requirements in addition to required coursework:

Practicum (as required by Psychology Department)
Comprehensive Examination/Computer Literacy requirement

Choose from one of the two areas of concentration: Family and Individual Psychotherapy or School Psychology.

Master of Science Specialization: Psychology Concentration: Family and Individual Psychotherapy

54 semester hours

Program offered on San Antonio campus (traditional classes) and through the Houston Weekend College Program.

Family and Individual Psychotherapy prepares practitioners to assist with mental health concerns in family and social contexts utilizing strengths-based approaches to psychotherapy. This program meets the academic requirements for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, licensure as a Professional Counselor through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, and licensure as a Psychological Associate by the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists.

PSYC 6321	Psychological Measurement and Evaluation
PSYC 6358	Life Planning and Career Development
PSYC 6380	Research Design and Procedures
PSYC 7333	Psychopathology: Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
PSYC 7351	Life Span Developmental Psychology
PSYC 8301	Group and Family Processes
PSYC 8303	Professional Practice: Skills and Issues
PSYC 8351	Introduction to Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy
PSYC 8352	Pre-practicum Psychotherapy Laboratory: Basic Interviewing Skills
PSYC 8355	Psychotherapy with Children Adolescents and Their Families
PSYC 8356	Family Processes Across Cultures
PSYC 8357	Advanced Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy
PSYC 8390	Practicum I
PSYC 8391	Practicum II
PSYC 8392	Practicum III
PSYC 8393	Practicum IV
PSYC 8345	Theoretical Foundations of Psychotherapy

Elective Three hours

Master of Science Specialization: Psychology Concentration: School Psychology

66 semester hours

School Psychology prepares students to meet the academic requirements for licensure as a Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) through the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists. The program prepares students to deal with children and adolescents within the school environments where they utilize a variety of methods including counseling, assessment, consultation and behavioral intervention techniques.

PSYC 6321	Psychological Measurement and Evaluation
PSYC 6322	Psychological Assessment
PSYC 6324	Achievement Testing and Individualized Assessment
PSYC 6380	Research Design and Procedures
PSYC 6342	Psycho-educational Assessment: Cognitive Testing
PSYC 7333	Psychopathology: Etiology, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
PSYC 7351	Life Span Developmental Psychology
PSYC 8303	Professional Practice: Skills and Issues
PSYC 8325	Neurobehavioral Principles
PSYC 8305	Counseling Theories for the School Settings
PSYC 8356	Family Processes Across Cultures
PSYC 8361	Theories of Learning
PSYC 8371	Consultation in School Psychology
PSYC 8372	Operation and Organization in Schools for School Psychology
PSYC 8375	Practicum Lab: Counseling Skills in School Settings
PSYC 8388	Pre-Practicum Laboratory: School Psychology Intervention Frameworks
PSYC 8398	Practicum: School Psychology
PSYC 8299-8699	School Psychology Internship
SPED 6323	Behavior Analysis and Intervention

Choose one of the following:

SPED 6305	Individual Differences: Advanced Studies
SPED 6343	Structuring the Educational Environment

Elective Three hours

For master’s degree in school counseling see EDUCATION.

Assessment Specialty in Autism Certificate

PSYC 7333	Psychological Etiology and Treatment Planning
PSYC 6348	Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
PSYC 6380	Research Design and Procedures
PSYC 8377	Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
SPED 6323	Behavioral Analysis and Intervention
SPED 6305 or SPED 6343	Individual Differences: Advanced Studies Methods and Strategies for Students with Exceptionalities

Certificate in Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations

PSYC 6370	Professional/Technical Spanish
PSYC 8331	Language and Psychosocial Variables in Interviews and Assessments with Latinos
PSYC 8356	Family Processes Across Cultures

Choose one of the following:

PSYC 8327	Counseling Spanish Speaking Immigrants and Refugees
PSYC 8330	Socialcultural Foundations of Counseling Mexicans and Mexican-Americans

Choose one of the following:

PSYC 6326	Latino Psychology
PSYC 9356	Latino Psychology

Practica

Additional requirement for PsyD students:

PRACTICA

Supervised supervision in a bilingual setting for a minimum of one semester.

Certificate in Violence Prevention and Intervention: Level II

For Psychology/Human Science majors:

PSYC 5330G/SOCI 5330G

Violence Prevention and Intervention

Choose one of the following:

EDUC 6317	Advanced Childhood Growth and Development
PSYC 7351	Life Span Developmental Psychology

Choose one of the following:

PSYC 8389	Field Placement
PSYC 8391	Practicum II

Choose two of the following:

PSYC 4330G/SOCI 4330G/SOWK 4330G	Violence in Communities and Families
PSYC 5315G/SOCI 5315G /SOWK 5315G	Child Welfare
PSYC 5316G /SOCI 5316G /SOWK 5316G	Services to Children Exposed to Violence
PSYC 8355	Psychotherapy with Children Adolescents and their Families

Community Counseling Service

Our Lady of the Lake University’s psychology department operates the Community Counseling Service located at the Holy Cross Family Practice Association, as well as several other satellite counseling sites. The Community Counseling Service staff assists individuals and families with a variety of problems. Treatment teams assigned to cases include supervisors and students, which ensures the quality of service to clients and provides practicum students with a unique training experience.